Cheap spark detector for alpha particles

[JAC_101] wrote in to let us know that the Truely Mad Scientist’s LVL1 Splinter Group just built a simple Alpha Particle detector. The detector is a high voltage DC spark gap that is triggered by ionizing radiation. Making one of these detectors involves gutting a cold cathode power supply for some high voltage AC, then bumping that source up to crazy high voltage DC with a Cockcroft-Walton generator. Once the spark gap distance is carefully adjusted it will light up brilliantly with the introduction of a radioactive source, we are told. There are no videos, or even pictures of the thing running, but we found this one that is pretty darn cool. Maybe all that spark-gap related RF killed their camera or something, their page at least promises videos soon.

In the mean time check out Truely Mad Scientist’s LVL1 Splinter Group’s ionizing cloud chamber for more radioactive fun.

Please don’t take apart your smoke detector! You could accidentally break the source and contaminate your surroundings. These sources are not meant to be handled!

If you’d like to to radiation experiments, invest in a safe sealed check source. These are usually discs of radioactive material potted in epoxy, with a plastic housing. They are OK to handle and won’t contaminate you or your surroundings.

Smoke detector Am-241 sources are sealed sources, built to a higher standard of ruggedness than many of the alpha check sources one can buy. They’re far less expensive, and eminently suitable for hobby use. In my mind, the only reasonable impediment to sacking a smoke detector for the source is the interpretation of the NRC’s administrative code regarding whether or not the smoke detector body, etc. are part of the “source.” One observes all manner of amateur lawyering and manufactured grief on this subject, but I’ve never seen any official communication from regulators enjoining the reuse of a smoke detector source.